The team

Background

Don has dedicated over 17 years to serving in the National Guard, demonstrating unwavering commitment and valor throughout his military career. From 2011 to 2012, he deployed to Afghanistan, where his exemplary service earned him the Combat Infantry Badge. Seeking to further specialize, Don joined the 179th Infantry Regiment Reconnaissance Platoon in 2013, taking on the critical role of sniper team security. His expertise was further recognized during his 2016 deployment to Ukraine for Operation Atlantic Resolve, where he engaged in joint training exercises with partner forces under the Joint Multinational Training Group - Ukraine (JMTG-U).

Transitioning to law enforcement in 2017, Don began his civilian service with the Logan County Sheriff's Office. He achieved C.L.E.E.T. certification, completed Air Assault training, and served as a sniper, applying his military skills to enhance community safety. During his tenure, Don collaborated with multiple agencies, including the FBI's Joint Terrorism Task Force (JTTF), the Oklahoma City Police Department, the Oklahoma Army National Guard Drug Task Force, and the Oklahoma State Bureau of Investigation (OSBI), contributing to various high-profile investigations and operations.

In 2024, Don continued his law enforcement journey with the Piedmont Police Department, bringing with him a wealth of experience and a steadfast dedication to serving and protecting his community.

Background

Eric brings over a decade of comprehensive, hands-on experience in emergency management, operational safety, and high-stakes logistical coordination. His background in both the government sector and private healthcare makes him an exceptional instructor and mentor to church safety teams, equipping them with practical, life-saving skills.

As an Emergency Manager for the Oklahoma Department of Mental Health and Substance Abuse Services, he directed statewide disaster response and preparedness training. This experience translates directly into his ability to teach complex, multi-faceted concepts like Team Active Shooter Emergency Response and Run-Hide-Fight strategy, ensuring a plan is not just written, but is executable under pressure.

Furthermore, his early career as an EMT involved delivering emergency medical services and patient transport in high-pressure environments, including deploying to Federally declared disasters as a member of the EMS Strike Team. This history provides him with authentic, real-world authority to teach Trauma Care and medical stabilization techniques.

Eric's unique blend of hands-on emergency medical experience, high-level government program management, and foundational safety certification makes him an exceptionally qualified instructor ready to empower church safety teams.

Background

Andrew Loren is a highly experienced security professional with 20 years of service in the United States Air Force, where he specialized in security operations, risk management, and team leadership across a wide range of operational environments. His career focused on protecting people, facilities, and critical assets while developing disciplined, well-trained teams capable of responding to both routine and high-risk situations.

Throughout his Air Force career, Andrew was responsible for planning and executing security operations, conducting threat and vulnerability assessments, and training personnel in situational awareness, incident response, and coordinated team actions. He has extensive experience mentoring and instructing adults, translating complex security concepts into practical, easy-to-apply skills.

Andrew brings a calm, methodical, and mission-focused approach to church security training. He understands the unique balance required in faith-based environments—maintaining a welcoming atmosphere while implementing effective, proactive safety measures. His instruction emphasizes prevention, observation, communication, and decisive action, all grounded in real-world experience.

As an instructor, Andrew is committed to equipping church security teams with the knowledge, confidence, and mindset needed to protect congregations while honoring the values and mission of the church.

Background

Caden brings a unique, highly practical skill set from four years of industrial maintenance and technical training. As an Assistant Facilitator, Caden’s value lies in his calm demeanor and disciplined approach to safety protocols.

Caden's experience in Conveyor Maintenance and Urgent Repair (Hobby Lobby) directly translates to the rapid, analytical mindset needed in emergency response. He is adept at diagnosing a problem, stabilizing the environment, and implementing a solution—skills analogous to assessing a security threat or stabilizing an injured person. 

Through his multiple industrial maintenance certifications and Gold-level National Career Readiness Certificate, Caden exhibits excellent communication and technical literacy. This background allows him to support the lead instructor by clarifying complex safety procedures and technical data. He serves as an ideal assistant, ensuring participants fully grasp the mechanical and practical tactics with confidence and precision. Caden’s role is to ensure that the rigorous, structured nature of critical safety response is successful.